Audio 3:17
Lack of support for alcohol-dependent pregnant women

Thomas OritiUpdated
Mon 21 Apr 2014, 10:30 AM AEST

The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre says the proportion of pregnant women in Australia drinking at high levels has not changed, despite evidence suggesting a general decline in the number of women who drink small amounts of alcohol while they are pregnant. A pharmaceutical expert agrees about the dangers of high-level drinking, but he is urging authorities to reassure pregnant women that the occasional drink carries a minimal risk.

Transcript

SIMON SANTOW: There's fresh evidence this morning about the effects of women drinking alcohol while pregnant. While overall fewer Australian women are drinking while they're pregnant, the proportion of pregnant women drinking at high levels hasn't changed.

In a letter published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre says there's not enough support for pregnant women with an alcohol dependence.

A pharmaceutical expert agrees about the dangers of high-level drinking, but he's urging authorities to reassure pregnant women that the occasional drink carries a minimal risk.

Thomas Oriti reports.

THOMAS ORITI: Almost 4 per cent of Australian women meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder in any given year. According to research, less than one in 10 of them receive any treatment and the coverage is even worse for women who are pregnant.

Associate Professor Lucy Burns is from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales.

LUCY BURNS: When we look at the women who are really drinking a lot and are at risk, the proportion of this group has not fallen.

THOMAS ORITI: Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder can have severe impacts for a child. But there are challenges for women who struggle with an alcohol addiction and fall pregnant.

LUCY BURNS: It is quite a chronic relapsing disorder with a range of signs and symptoms that mean actually reducing or stopping drinking is a very difficult course of action.

But there's also a stigma, preventing some women from revealing they have a problem at all. She says it's crucial to make services as accessible as possible.

LUCY BURNS: We can't just say to women 'just stop drinking'. That shows a gross misunderstanding of alcohol dependence.

Pharmacist and obstetric drug information consultant Ron Batagol agrees about the risks of high-level drinking. But he says warnings about alcohol carry the wrong message.

RON BATAGOL: We're not emphasising enough that small quantities or occasional use of alcohol inadvertently shouldn't be a cause for women to consider terminating their pregnancies.

THOMAS ORITI: He's calling on the National Health and Medical Research Council to release a statement, similar to what's been seen overseas.

RON BATAGOL: The United States and Canadian obstetric organisations have written information and advice saying that occasional use or inadvertent use of alcohol should not be taken to be a cause for considering the termination of pregnancy.

But unfortunately our peak body simply says words to the effect of 'it's unlikely to cause any harm', and I think that's not strong enough information.

THOMAS ORITI: Associate Professor Lucy Burns says for women who may have had the occasional drink during pregnancy, the risk is minimal. But she says it's better to err on the side of caution.

LUCY BURNS: This is one that's plagued the area for decades really. The issue is that we don't know about risk at low levels, we advocate it's probably the safest thing not to drink at all during pregnancy.

THOMAS ORITI: Ron Batagol says some women may drink before realising they're pregnant, and he wants to ensure they get the right advice.

RON BATAGOL: This is not open slather for drinking during pregnancy, it's simply saying, don't consider doing something that's inappropriate and shouldn't be done on the basis of an occasional or inadvertent drink.